The South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) and Adelaide Airport have thrown their weight behind the trans Tasman travel bubble with plans to welcome Kiwis who are ready to travel once it is safe to do so.

For the year ending December 2019, record numbers of Kiwis travelled to South Australia to enjoy the state’s food, wine and destinations such as the Murray River and Kangaroo Island, spending more than $45 million in their travels.

ANZCRO Connect has already generated considerable interest amongst the trade in New Zealand but this is set to increase with the current focus on domestic and, as a next step, trans Tasman travel, says the company’s managing director Nick Guthrey.

The specially designed agents’ portal allows travel agents to search, quote and book all of ANZCRO’s product from one platform. It can also be used to create an entire New Zealand itinerary.

The travel and tourism industries of both Australia and New Zealand should be working together to create a ‘runway’ towards reopening trans-Tasman travel, an industry webinar heard this week.

Speaking at the Tourism Temperature digital event, organised by the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ), various speakers felt the trans Tasman travel bubble could fly if the countries’ governments and health authorities also worked together to create safe and highly monitored gateways.

The Aussie Specialist Team has moved the monthly Talkabout webinar series to a weekly schedule through to early June.

The new series kicked off with Annabelle Sweetman from Tourism Tasmania last week, informing agents on the sights of Tassie. Those travelling the island can taste produce straight from the farm and ocean, and meet the makers at cellar doors, farm gates and local markets.

Australian Wildlife Journeys gives agents a range of close to home experiences to sell to clients who may typically be attracted to destinations such as Africa and the Galapagos, says executive officer John Daw.

Working with the travel trade to put together an extended selection of three to five-day packages is one of the goals of Visit Victoria this year, says the organisation’s regional manager New Zealand, Joanna Garrie.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia reports all major cruise lines in the region are currently operating as scheduled and most Australian cruise destinations are unaffected by the fires.

Travel Agents Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) president Brent Thomas says the thoughts of the New Zealand travel industry go out to all those who have been impacted by the destructive fires in Australia. 'The bush fires are of a magnitude that we have not seen before and it is hard to comprehend just how ferocious the fire, smoke and heat have been.'

A demand for premium product has led Kiwi ex-pats Lillian and Ian Mann to launch Travel Norfolk, a service for travellers wanting flexibility, custom made experiences, and the reassurance of having someone ‘on the ground’ to ensure that special excursions are pre-booked and confirmed before they leave home.

When Benny Ford opened The Black Anchor Bar in Norfolk Island last November, he filled a gap in the market. He opened a casual bar where people could relax after work, with a cocktail, craft beer or wine. Open Thursday to Saturday from 5pm till midnight, The Black Anchor serves ‘pop up’ bar food from offsite caterers – dumplings on Thursdays, tacos on Fridays and American barbecue food on Saturdays.

The Black Anchor is a fitting name for someone who has worked for 20 years as a sea captain, and grew up on boats. Doubling as port manager by day, Ford has lived on the island for three years. ‘Norfolk Island is the place that everyone in Byron Bay

The new Broken Hill Outback Resort has two new offers for the resort’s camping and van sites and new, deluxe spa cabins.Until 31 July 2019, outback explorers who stay on one of the camping and van sites for three nights, can stay a fourth night for free. And those looking for extra comfort can stay in one of the new spa cabins for A$155 a night per cabin, usually A$185. The self-contained cabins feature a king bed, fold-out

From ‘sight fishing’ for brown trout in the wilds of Tasmania to dropping a line in Sydney Harbour, Australia’s diversity of fishing options is a key to the sector’s success, says Dean Cooper, Great Fishing Adventures of Australia.Great Fishing Adventures is one of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experience series and Cooper says the key is to be on the water with someone who is passionate about their region.

Direct flights between Auckland and Hobart could be a reality by 2020, especially if the growth from New Zealand to Tasmania continues as it is, according to John Fitzgerald, chief executive officer of Tourism Tasmania. Fitzgerald’s comments came as he and other representatives from the tourism office welcomed about 120 Kiwi travel agents to a function at Sofitel Viaduct Harbour in Auckland last night. The roadshow heads on to Wellington and Christchurch today and tomorrow.

Stacey Leitch from House of Travel Kapiti Coast has been chosen as New Zealand’s first Aussie Specialist Ambassador by Tourism Australia, Australia’s states and territories and Qantas. Leitch will join a tailor-made trip to Australia to share Aussie experiences with her fellow Kiwi agents.Penny Hayes at House of Travel Lakers in Invercargill will take home a GoPro to capture any future personal trips, as the programme’s runner up.

More trade education around what clients can do in Newcastle, New South Wales is critical if agents are to maximise the opportunities of the new Virgin Australia flight between the city and Auckland, according to delegates at a major travel expo this week.While the city is regarded as an ideal gateway to the tourism areas of Hunter Valley and Port Stephens, city representatives at the Pacific Area Incentives & Conferences Expo (PAICE 2018) on Tuesday emphasised that Newcastle itself has an array of attractions.

It may be in its fiftieth year but the Australian Open is still serving up opportunities for travel agents.The open, and some of its silverware, was in Auckland this week and hosted the trade to a preview of what to expect at the event’s golden anniversary. Not only are there more seating options but the iconic Melbourne sports event has become more than tennis.

Williment Travel has released a new motor sport tour for 2019. The WD-40 Phillip Island 500 (held 12-14 April) is staged on the famous Phillip Island Circuit and is arguably the most scenic racetrack on the supercars calendar.Two hours from Melbourne Airport, Phillip Island is easily accessible and has beaches, wildlife and family activities to add to the motorsport action.